Winter is Coming: Non-Profit Agencies Join Together to Help Those in Need

SAN ANGELO, TX - As the colder weather comes through San Angelo, and fall transitions into winter, many people begin stocking up on an endless supply of hot chocolate, and pull out their warm sweaters, jackets, and blankets that have been tucked away in the deepest and darkest corners of their closet. Some people may find they have outgrown or outworn these winter clothes; they want to buy new ones but no longer have the space to keep the old ones. If that sounds familiar, now is a good time to think about donating these clothes to a local charity. 

Having a home, winter clothes, and food on the table is bliss. However, not all San Angeloans and West Texans are that fortunate. This is the time of year that highlights the families, children, men and women, quite a few of them veterans, who must survive this coming winter on the cold streets of San Angelo, or who are struggling to pay last month’s rent. Though that's the case, San Angelo has various charities and organizations that help families and individuals in need of food, clothing articles, and household appliances. Most of these goods are graciously donated by San Angelo residents.

One of these charities is Rust Street Ministries. Rust Street Ministries is a Christian faith based charity that gives back to those who are struggling to make ends meet, and to those who are homeless. Rust Ministries focuses on providing food, clothing, furniture, hygiene products, as well as kitchen supplies and various household items to people in need. All donations are thoroughly checked as “we want our neighbors to get the best” said Bryan Jarvis, Director of Rust Street Ministries.

Above: Volunteers sorting through donations.

Anyone is welcomed to Rust Street Ministries, but employees are required by state law to run a financial assessment. Once a person is cleared to receive support, they are eligible to collect food items five times a year, clothes twice a year, and furniture and household appliances once a year. Rust Street Ministries has clothing for all ages, all seasons, and all sizes. When it comes to food, Rust Street Ministries goes the extra mile. The non-profit organization works with a nutritionist to see what different people and families require to keep them sustained and healthy. Jarvis emphasized that everything given out is generously donated by the San Angelo community and is free to those in need. 

“Sometimes, we got five beds; sometimes, we have none," said Jarivs. "We may have a refrigerator; we may not, but if we got it, they’re welcome to it for free.”

The people at Rust Street Ministries also have a C.O.W. or Clothes on Wheels. Jarvis explained that volunteers drive the van to schools and “kids come over with their parents and just ‘shop.’” Again, he emphasized, “Everything we have is for free.”

Above: Main Photo: An aisle of clothing; Top photo: Bryan Jarvis speaking with customer; Bottom Picture: Room filled with clothing, and additional donated items 

Mr. Jarvis told LIVE! that those people who are homeless receive a backpack filled with canned pop-tops. They are also welcomed to take coats and hats to keep them warm or dry, sleeping bags, and, “if somebody needs a tent, we make sure they get a tent,” Jarvis added. Johnson Street Church pays the overhead, thus allowing all monetary donations to go directly to helping those less fortunate. Rust Street Ministries helps a lot of families who are trying to make ends meet. In 2015, Rust Street Ministries helped 29,157 people.

Families and individuals looking for shelter and a place to sleep, or those who need to grab some breakfast and/or supper every day, might want to contact the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army is also here for them.

San Angelo’s Salvation Army is San Angelo’s only shelter that houses men, women, and children according to Jackie Rogers, Community Relations & Development Coordinator. Homeless people are allowed to “stay seven consecutive days free of charge” to give people the opportunity to potentially find a job. “After those seven days are up, [the Salvation Army] can extend [their stay] up to 30 days, but they do have to pay a $10 fee a night,” Rogers explained. 

The Salvation Army also provides breakfast and dinner to all, as well as showers 365 days out of the year free of charge. For lunch, people can reach out to the Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church Ministry for their Daily Bread Soup Lunch Program, which is open 11 a.m to 1 p.m Monday – Saturday, and on most holidays.

Above: Main Photo: The Men's Dormitory, Top Photo: A Family Room, Bottom Photo: The Women's Dormitory

The Salvation Army also works with different agencies in San Angelo, in case they are unable to help a family with a particular problem. Rogers explained that the Salvation Army also has a 211 service “where people can call in and find a list of places where people can go for whatever their needs are.” For example, if a family has just moved into a new apartment but needs furniture they cannot afford, the 211 services will direct them to organizations such as The Rust Street Ministries to help them. Rogers underscored that all of the local agencies “work together; we don’t compete.”

Above: Dining is provided to those who visit the Salvation Army during breakfast and dinner.

In the past year, the Salvation Army has housed an estimated 8,887 people and has given 65,424 people breakfast and/or dinner. Among them are many veterans. Sharon Troy, Residential Services Manager at the Salvation Army, stated, “We have veterans who stay at the shelter all the time.” However, Troy works closely with colleague Nickie Starkey, San Angelo’s HUD VASH Representative at the Salvation Army, who “works with veterans in helping them get into HUD housing.”

Now that the holiday season is upon us, the Salvation Army started its annual Angel Tree donations program. An Angel Tree, Rogers explained, is “where families [after a screening] can come and register if they cannot provide toys for their kids for Christmas.” Angels, on which the children’s wishes are noted, are then hung in trees at various Walmart locations, as well as Sunset Mall, so that the San Angelo community can help make a kid’s wish come true. The event ends on December 15 with a big Angel Tree distribution event. Last year, 1,258 kids had their wishes fulfilled.

Overall, Rust Street Ministries and the Salvation Army, with all their connections to other charities in town, are venues that help people who are homeless or low-income get their feet back on the ground. For those who are more fortunate, both of these organizations are committed to helping our neighbors in the community. Please consider donating any unneeded clothes, furniture or household appliances to Rust Street Ministries.

Rust Street Ministries is located at 803 Rust Street. Their donation hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday, and their unloading assistance is available from 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Monday - Thursday, and 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Fridays. The Salvation Army has two locations in San Angelo, one at 2225 W Beauregard Avenue, and the other at 215 Gillis Street. Of course, both charities accept monetary donations as well. There are also many other charities in town that feed the homeless and the low-income population, such as the Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church Ministry with its Daily Bread Soup Kitchen.